Digital display purse

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a portable, handheld bag for toting personal effects. In various embodiments, the external surfaces of the handbag comprises flexible digital displays, including LED and/or LCD displays. The handbag itself may comprise an internal power supply and one or more USB ports for interfacing the handbag with other data processing devices. The In some embodiments, the LED or LCD displays may be configured to display a colored, repeating patters which aesthetically matches the ensemble or outerwear of user. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise touch screens and software for assisting users with typical day-to-day needs, including a virtual calculator, GPS, virtual notepads, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to portable handbags for personal effects, andmore specifically relates to a portable handbag having a digital displayand digital function.

2. Description of the Related Art

Tens of millions of individuals across the United States, particularlywomen, carry personal effects in handbags or purses, includingidentification, calculators, cellular phones, credit cards, parkingpasses, tablet computers, GPS devices, make up, headphones, dayplanners, writing instruments, notepads, and the like. As technology hasevolved and smaller digital devices have become more common place, sohas the number of these digital items being carried by travelers intheir handbags.

Various purses, handbags, satchels, laptop bags, briefcases, andbackpacks have been devised in the art for organizing digital devices,including purses with specially dimensioned internal pockets fororganizing cellular phones, digital cameras, calculators, and the like.These handbags have proven largely ineffective as the items beingcarried and their sizes are in a constant state of flux. Many of thedigital and electronic items being carried by men and women compriseintegrated circuits and software which serve similar functions but eachhave separate power supplies, which die frequently. None of thesedesigns have been accepted universally by any cross-segment of thepopulation, and none of these designs consolidate the functions of themultitude of digital devices being carried or provide means of chargingdead or dying batteries.

Furthermore, women often wish to coordinate colors and aesthetic designsof the handbags they are carrying with outerwear, and lack thisflexibility with immutable, static colors and designs that characterizeeach handbag, often compelling women to purchase a plurality of handbagsfor principally ornamental reasons. There exists no handbag with dynamicexterior appearance, and no means in the art of changing instantaneouslythe color or repeating patterns covering the outer surface of thehandbag.

What is needed is a portable handheld device for personal effects withserves many of the same functions as the personal items typically portedin handbags, and which has dynamic appearance functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor a digital display purse. The present invention has been developed inresponse to the present state of the art; and, in particular, inresponse to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet beenfully solved by currently available methods, systems and apparatus, andthat overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in theart. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide aportable, handheld, receptacle comprising: a handbag defining a hollowinterior recess for storing personal effects, the hand bag having two ormore exterior surfaces; one or more flexible handles; and one moredigital visual display(s) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces ofthe handbag. The digital visual display(s) may comprise touchscreens.The receptacle may further comprise one or more computer program productcomprising a computer readable medium having computer usable programcode executable to perform operations for displaying a virtualcalculator on the touchscreen.

The digital visual displays may be formed of flexible materialscontouring a flexing, non-planar exterior surface of the exteriorsurface. The handbag may further comprise a rechargeable, internal powersupply. In some embodiments, the power supply comprises one or moredetachably insertable batteries of standardized dimensions.

The handbag may further comprise one or more uniform serial bus (USB)ports for connecting peripherals. The handbag may further comprise oneor more speakers, the speakers affixed to a base member of the handbag.

In various embodiments, the handbag may further comprise one or morecomputer program product comprising a computer readable medium havingcomputer usable program code executable to perform operations fordisplaying a user-selected ornamental design on the digital visualdisplay.

The receptacle may further comprising: an internal processor; and poweradjustment controls, for controlling the electrical power to the digitalvisual display.

The receptacle may further comprise an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit) for providing mode adjustment controls, forselecting one of a plurality of modes, each mode imposing a distinctmethod of motor operation upon the device.

The handle may further comprise a plurality of flexible LCD display(s).

A second portable, handheld, receptacle is disclosed comprising: ahandbag defining a hollow interior recess for storing personal effects,the hand bag having two or more exterior surfaces; one or flexiblehandles; two or more digital visual displays disposed on one of theexterior surfaces of the handbag; one more internal processors inlogical communication with the digital visual displays; one or moreinternal power supplies powering the processor and the digital visualdisplay; means for recharging the power supplies of two or more portableelectronic devices from the group consisting of: a smart phone, a globalpositioning (GPS) device, a tablet computer, a music playback device,and laptop computer.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention will berendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated inthe appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict onlytypical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to beconsidered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of a digital display purse inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display pursein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a digital display purse with anexploded view of a flexible LCD display in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 4A is a forward perspective view of a digital display purse inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a forward perspective view of a digital display strap inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of a digital display satchel inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a digital display satchel inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display pursein accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display pursein accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display pursein accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the inventionmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are provided. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventionmay be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. Theapparatus modules recited in the claims may be configured to impart therecited functionality to the apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a lower perspective view of a digital display purse 100 inaccordance with the present invention. The purse 100 comprises asidewall 102 a, base member 122, and a speaker 124.

In the shown embodiment, the purse 100 is wedge-shaped, comprising abase member 122 with a planar exterior surface. The purse 100 alsocomprises two sidewalls 102, which have substantially planar exteriorsurfaces. In various embodiments described below, these sidewalls 102comprise LCD or LED digital visual displays in logical connection withprocessor internal to the purse 100 or to the displays themselves.

Various embodiments of the purse 100 comprise speakers 124 affixed to,disposed upon or behind, the various surfaces of the purse 100,including the sidewalls 102 and/or the base member 122.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display purse200 in accordance with the present invention. The purse 200 comprises asidewall 102 a, a handle 202, an audio port 204, a power jack 206, and aUSB port 208 (universal serial bus).

The handle 202 may be fabricated from one of leather, nylon, chain,rope, cord, elastomeric materials, or other organic or non-organic rigidmaterials known to those of skill in the art. The handle 202 maycomprise a shoulder strap.

In various embodiments, the purse 200 comprises one or more dataprocessing devices (DPDs), which, in the preferred embodiment, areaffixed to the purse 200 internally. In various other embodiments, theDPDs may external to the purse 200 and may comprise smart phonesincluding an iPhone, Android, Palm Pilots®, tablet computer, laptopcomputer, digital camera, and the like; being transported by the purse200.

These DPDs may be in logical communication with one or more peripheralsinternal or external to the purse 200 via ports, jacks or sockets, suchas the audio port 204, power jack 206, and/or USB port 208. Theseperipherals may comprise a keyboard, external monitor, GPS device,cellular phone, tablet computer, speakers, desktop, server, and thelike.

The purse 200 may comprises a system or computer program running on theone or more data processing devices (DPDs), such as a server, computerworkstation, router, mainframe computer, or the like. In variousembodiments, the DPD comprises one or more processors. The processor isa computing device well-known to those in the art and may include anapplication-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”).

Additionally, the purse 200 may comprises a database management system(DBMS) or relational database management system (RDBMS), such as Oracle,SQL, FireBird, IBM DB2®, or the like.

Computer readable memory in the purse 200 may comprise encrypted ornon-encrypted personal identifying information which can be used by theuser of the purse 200 make payments to merchants, identify the owner ofa lost purse 200, or identify himself/herself at predetermined locales.This personal identifying information is stored in the database maycomprise name, address, email, telephone, IP address, bankinginformation, and the like.

The purse 200 may, in some embodiments, communicate logically through anetworked environment, such as local area network (LAN) or wide areanetwork (WAN), with other DPDs. The purse 200 may facilitatehuman-to-human communication, using means known to those of skill in theart, including variations of the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP),Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP),File Transfer Protocol (FTP), or other protocols.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a digital display purse 300 with anexploded view of a flexible LCD display in accordance with the presentinvention. The purse 300 comprises a sidewall 102, and a flexible LCDdisplay 302 comprising a flexible polarizing filter 304 and ITOelectrodes 306.

As shown, the LCD display 302 may be flexible and may cover more than80% of the surface area of the sidewall 102 a.

The LCD display 302 may be configured to show predetermined colors,patterns, or ornamental designs for ornamental effect. In someembodiments, the purse 300 comprises two or more cameras which sensecolor and patterns in the environment around the purse 300 and displaycorresponding pictures, video, colors or patterns on the display(s) 302,In some embodiments, the cameras and displays 302 may configured tocreate illusions or effects, such as invisibility or transparency of thepurse 300.

FIG. 4 is a forward perspective view of a digital display purse 400 inaccordance with the present invention. The purse 400 comprises asidewall 102 a, a handle 202, and an LCD display 302.

As shown, the LCD display 302 may shaped in other than square orrectangular fashion. The display 302, in the shown embodiment, ispolygonal.

FIG. 4B is a forward perspective view of a digital display strap 450 inaccordance with the present invention. The digital display a handle 202comprising a strap 450 comprises LEDs 452 a-d and LCDs 454 a-d.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the handle 202 mayserve some of the same purposes of the LCD display 302. The handle 202may comprise one more LCD displays 454 a-d affixed in line on the handle202. These LCDs 454 a-d may be configured to each display separatecontent relayed from a processor, or to each display the same content.In various embodiments, the LCD displays may be used to serve aestheticpurposes, serving to add color, patterns, or design matching that of thedevice 100 and/or display 302.

The handle 202 may also comprise LEDs 452 a-d. These LEDs may comprisesimple light emitting diodes, or may comprise complicated LED arrays,such LED backlit displays.

In various embodiments, the LCDs 454 a-d and displays 302 a-b may all beconfigured to display in unison images having motions, such as wavesmoving across the displays 302,454, fish, rivers, or other movingdesigns.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of a digital display 500 satchel inaccordance with the present invention.

The teachings of the present invention may apply equally to a purse asto a satchel, briefcase, backpack, day planner, laptop bag, and thelike.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a digital display satchel 600 inaccordance with the present invention.

Any type of portable, handheld receptacle for transporting personaleffects may be configured with external digital displays 302 and maycomprise the other components for holding common devices, such ascellular phones, tablet computers and the like.

In various embodiments, the displays 302 a-b may be configured todisplay scenery, or images with small or large amount of motion. Asdescribed partially above, the displays 302 a-b may display waves,moving clouds, or patterns in motion, to add the effect of movement totraditional styles.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display purse700 in accordance with the present invention. The purse 700 comprises asidewall 102 a, a handle 202, an LCD display 302, stitching 702, and aniPod 704 a displaying a repeating digital pattern 706.

In various embodiments, the display 302 comprises an integrated tabletcomputer with its own processor(s) and power supply, such as an iPod,iPad, cellular phone and the like. These devices may be configured todisplay select ornamental color and/or patterns at the discretion of theuser of the purse 700.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display purse800 in accordance with the present invention. The purse 800 comprises asidewall 102 b, a handle 202, a flexible LCD display 302, an endwall 802(and a user's hand 804).

In various embodiments, the LCD display 302 serves various utilitarianfunctions, such as providing a virtual calculator, GPS navigationsystem, virtual notepad, address book, email interface, and the like. Auser may interface with the display 302 using a hand 804 to touch thedisplay 302.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational perspective view of a digital display purse900 in accordance with the present invention. The purse 900 comprises asidewall 102 b, a handle 202, a display 302, and endwall 802, aprocessor 904, and batteries 906.

The batteries 906, in the shown embodiment, form party of the powersupply, and may comprise a plurality of batteries of standardized powerspecifications and dimensions, such as AAA, AA, A, C, D, 9V and thelike. The batteries 906 may comprise a rechargeable battery or cell asknown to those of skill in the art. The batteries 906 may be internal orexternal to the purse 900. The power supply may comprise an A/C poweradapter and 110 V plug or other means known to those of skill in theart.

As further described above, the processor 904 may be internal orexternal to the purse 900.

The endwall 802 connects, and is affixed to, the sidewalls 102 a-b.

The purse 900 may comprise a power indicator indicating, using LEDs orusing other means known to those of skill in the art, what the powersetting has been previously selected and/or power remaining in the powersupply.

In some embodiments, a user may configure a control module to run in anyone of a plurality of modes reflected on the display 302. The modeselector controls may comprise depressible buttons, but may alsocomprise dials and other common controls known to those of skill in theart, disposed internally (within the interior recess).

The purse 900 may comprise one or more computer program products forperforming the functions necessary to realize a virtual calculator,virtual notebook, or other software features useful to the user of thepurse 900.

The functions of the systems shown in the present invention correspondgenerally to other systems, methods, apparatii and computer programproducts outlined in the present invention, and further illustrates theavailability of different allocations of functionality amongst modulesthat implement an embodiment of the invention. To the extent thathardware, software, and firmware implementations are deemed partially orfully interchangeable at the time in question (now or hereafter) by oneof skill in the art, they may be utilized in embodying the inventioneven though the specific implementation examples discussed here aredifferent.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable, handheld, receptacle comprising: ahandbag defining a hollow interior recess for storing personal effects,the hand bag having two or more exterior surfaces; one or more flexiblehandles; and one more digital visual display(s) disposed on one of theexterior surfaces of the handbag.
 2. The handbag of claim 1, wherein thedigital visual display(s) comprise touchscreens.
 3. The handbag of claim2, further comprising one or more computer program product comprising acomputer readable medium having computer usable program code executableto perform operations for displaying a virtual calculator on thetouchscreen.
 4. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the digital visualdisplays are formed of flexible materials contouring a flexing,non-planar exterior surface of the exterior surface.
 5. The handbag ofclaim 1, further comprising a rechargeable, internal power supply. 6.The receptacle of claim 5, wherein the power supply comprises one ormore detachably insertable batteries of standardized dimensions.
 7. Thehandbag of claim 1, further comprising one or more uniform serial bus(USB) ports for connecting peripherals.
 8. The handbag of claim 1,further comprising one or more speakers, the speakers affixed to a basemember of the handbag.
 9. The handbag of claim 1, further comprising oneor more computer program product comprising a computer readable mediumhaving computer usable program code executable to perform operations fordisplaying a user-selected ornamental design on the digital visualdisplay.
 10. The handbag of claim 1, wherein the handle furthercomprising: an internal processor; and power adjustment controls, forcontrolling the electrical power to the digital visual display.
 11. Thehandbag claim 1, further comprising an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit) for providing mode adjustment controls, forselecting one of a plurality of modes, each mode imposing a distinctmethod of motor operation upon the device.
 12. The handbag claim 1,wherein the handle further comprises a plurality of flexible LCDdisplays connected adjacent to one another.
 13. A portable, handheld,receptacle comprising: a handbag defining a hollow interior recess forstoring personal effects, the hand bag having two or more exteriorsurfaces; one or flexible handles; two or more digital visual displaysdisposed on one of the exterior surfaces of the handbag; one moreinternal processors in logical communication with the digital visualdisplays; one or more internal power supplies powering the processor andthe digital visual display; means for recharging the power supplies oftwo or more portable electronic devices from the group consisting of: asmart phone, a global positioning (GPS) device, a tablet computer, amusic playback device, and laptop computer.